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Monday, May 25, 2015

This morning Jim and I headed out to West Warwick to take part in their Memorial Day Celebration. As always I was amazed by how eloquent and what a great speaker my husband is. I also loved the Patriotic Biker group who stood around the Ceremony area holding large American flags. Lastly -- another thing that really brought home to me the reality that this is not just history we are remembering, but also the present was when the Mother's of two soldiers who died in the Middle East just in the last ten years -- laid a wreath on the Memorial to those who have died in the Global War on Terrorism. I've included some more photos below the text of Jim's remarks. Thank you -- and thank you to our Veterans.

"Two
thousand years ago the Greek historian Plutarch believed that men of action could
learn how to conduct themselves virtuously by studying the lives of famous Greeks
and Romans.

By
comparing and contrasting among great figures from antiquity—including Pericles,
the first citizen of classical Athens; the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the
Great; Julius Caesar, a figure so consequential that his very name came to mean
emperor—we can learn what is worth
thinking and doing. Just as important, we can learn what’s worth shunning
because it’s low, or base, or unbecoming.

Now, I
am no Plutarch. No one will read my works in two thousand years. But I want to
step onto that eminent Greek’s turf this Memorial Day, and tell you a story
about one of my personal heroes: a U.S. Navy Medal of Honor recipient by the
name of Ernest E. Evans. I believe Plutarch would find Evans a fit subject for
one of his biographies.

And
he’s not just my hero. So revered a figure is Commander Evans that a building
at the Naval War College is named for him. Evans Hall stands directly across
from the Surface Warfare Officers School, where each generation of American
naval officers—including myself in the late 1980s—is groomed for seamanship and
combat.

They
who go down to the sea in ships—gray-hulled U.S. Navy ships—live in Evans’s
shadow while they’re with us in Newport.

Who
was Evans? No one has written a biography of him. He lived a short life, like
many of those we commemorate on this day. Maybe we just don’t know enough about
him to fill a book. But I’ll relate what we do know. It’s a parable of valor
and derring-do that no one would believe if it came out of Hollywood.

Commander
Evans looked like a stockier Clark Gable, for those of you of an age to remember
the actor of Run Silent, Run Deep and
Gone with the Wind fame. And he was
“a fighting Cherokee Indian…short, barrel-chested, loud of voice, a born
leader,” according to Samuel Eliot Morison, the chronicler of U.S. naval
operations in World War II. That meant his nickname at the U.S. Naval Academy
at Annapolis was, inevitably, “the Chief.”

Nor
was this nickname misplaced. As Morison notes, the Chief was the sort of leader
all mariners—indeed, all warriors—aspire to be. Evans was the sort of person
who strides into a room and takes it over through force of character. You’ve
known the type. My first and best boss in the navy, a Filipino named Ernesto
Zambrano, stood just over five feet tall. Yet a roomful of people of all ranks would
go quiet when Mister Zee walked in.

Evans
wasn’t a tyrant, but his officers and men feared him. Or, more precisely, he
commanded such respect that they feared letting down the Old Man, as navy crews
have called their skippers since time immemorial. Disappointing him was the
worst failure they could imagine.

Evans
had a chip on his shoulder. He was ashamed of being forced to flee from the
Battle of the Java Sea aboard the destroyer Alden
in early 1942, when the Imperial Japanese Navy was rampaging through the South
China Sea.

When
Evans assumed command of the destroyer USS Johnston
in 1943, he channeled John Paul Jones, who once made the Narragansett
Bay his operating grounds. He told well-wishers at the ship’s commissioning
ceremony: “This is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm’s way....Now
that I have a fighting ship, I will never retreat from an enemy force.”

And he
made good on his vow never again to flee. He quickly earned a reputation for venturing
into close quarters with the enemy to support ground troops ashore. Off Guam,
for instance, Johnston’s gunners
fired until the barrels glowed red—and then Evans demanded, and got, more
ammunition beyond the ship’s allotment.

In
October 1944 Johnston was part of
Task Force 3, or “Taffy 3,” cruising the Philippine Sea, northeast of Leyte
Gulf and due east of the island of Samar, in the Philippine Islands. Taffy 3
was Admiral Clifton Sprague’s flotilla of 6 light, “jeep” aircraft carriers, 3 destroyers,
and 4 destroyer escorts. Its mission: to cover General Douglas MacArthur’s
landing force on Samar.

Taffy
3 was not a battle fleet. And yet on the morning of October 25 it had to fight for its
life against
one of the most formidable armadas ever to sail Pacific Ocean waters—a force
built around the battleship Yamato,
the biggest, most heavily gunned battleship ever built.

Think
about that. Johnston was a 2,700-ton
destroyer, or “tin can,” festooned with five 5-inch guns and some torpedoes. That’s
lightweight armament. Arrayed against Johnston
and her consorts was an enemy force that was both superior in numbers—boasting
23 vessels, all equal to or exceeding the American tin cans in firepower and
displacement—and headed by a 70,000-ton dreadnought.

Each
of Yamato’s 18-inch gun turrets weighed
as much as a destroyer. Her nine main guns, each 69 feet long, could fling
projectiles weighing as much as a Volkswagen over 25 miles. David had it lucky
by contrast when he squared off against Goliath.

Admiral
Takeo Kurita’s “Center Force” was part of a larger Japanese fleet converging on
Leyte Gulf. Kurita’s mission was to sink or drive off the American fleet. That
would strand U.S. Marine and Army forces ashore—bereft of air cover, naval gunfire
support, and shipborne supplies, and under the big guns of Japanese battleships
and cruisers.

If
successful the Japanese assault would have slowed down, complicated, or perhaps
even halted the American reconquest of the Philippines—and stymied MacArthur’s
drive across the South Pacific.

So
what do you do when confronted by an enemy force that outnumbers and outclasses
you by every measure? If you’re Ernest Evans, you attack!

When
Kurita’s fleet was sighted coming over the horizon that October morning, Commander
Evans instantly ordered Johnston’s
helm hard over. The destroyer turned, rung up flank speed, and charged the
enemy before even receiving the signal from Sprague to do so. This was the
first of two mad dashes she would make that day before meeting her fate.

Johnston zigzagged her way into
firing range for her torpedoes, “or fish,” dodging enemy gunfire on her way. Gunnery
officer Lieutenant Bob Hagen swore he could see Captain Evans’s heart
“grinning” as Johnston joined battle.
She dueled the heavy cruiser Kumano with
guns before disgorging her ten fish. Her torpedoes ran “hot, straight, and
normal,” scoring a hit on Kumano
before she turned to rejoin Taffy 3.

At
that point the tin can’s luck ran out. She took three hits from 14-inch battleship
guns, losing one of her two engineering plants and half her speed. She lost
fire control and steering. Evans lost his shirt and two fingers in one of the
blasts, yet oversaw repairs that restored partial control of the guns, and
rudder control from the fantail. The ship looked like a wreck.

Then
the destroyer escorts started their torpedo run. When Johnston passed them, Evans ordered the rudder hard about so she
could provide them with gunfire support. Thus began the second charge of the
tin-can sailors.

Johnston engaged the battleship Kongo, and took on a five-ship destroyer
squadron all by herself—badgering the Japanese ships into muffing a torpedo
attack on Ziggy Sprague’s flattops. Ultimately, though, an avalanche of shells
crashed into the ship—depriving her of propulsion and compelling the crew to
abandon ship.

Commander
Evans made it into the water alive but was never recovered. How he met his
maker remains unknown. What we do know is this: Johnston and her sisters threw the Japanese fleet into disarray,
preventing it from striking effectively at the carriers. Their audacity left Kurita
dazed and confused. He lost all taste for battle—calling off the Center Force’s
advance short of its goal. The ground campaign in the Philippines went on.

Taffy
3 wrote a remarkable chapter in the annals of naval warfare. Evans and his
shipmates charged a crushingly superior force and won.

So
what would a Plutarch take away from the story of Ernest Evans, the Chief? That
Evans was decisive. He had swagger. He inspired his men to be their best selves,
and empowered them to do their duty. And, most importantly for our purposes
today, he was prepared to give the last full measure of devotion for the cause
of liberty. That gives anyone who wears the uniform of the United States an
example to strive toward.

Can we
live up to the standard set by Ernest Evans? I believe so. People of valor live
today. Some of them wear military uniforms. I have the pleasure to work with
them every day.

But
gallantry is not exclusively a military thing. Just read the daily news. How
often do we hear about Americans—regular people like us—running into burning
buildings, or performing other feats demanding what looks like superhuman
courage?

We
need not look far away, or into the age of Plutarch or Evans, to find such
examples. Thirty-five firefighters have given their lives in
the line of duty just this year. Last year a nine-alarm fire engulfed a
four-story building on Beacon Street, in Boston’s Back Bay. Fire Lieutenant
Edward J. Walsh Jr. and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy went into danger—rescuing
the people trapped in the building before succumbing to flames, heat, and
smoke.

They
did their duty—and then some. Like Evans, Walsh and Kennedy gave the last full
measure of devotion for the common good. I believe the fallen from Leyte Gulf
would welcome them into a fellowship of honor, alongside military heroes of
old.

Let me
close by quoting an General George S. Patton. Shortly after World War II, at a
gathering not unlike this one, Patton pronounced it “foolish and wrong to mourn
the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” Yes. I would
only add that such people walk among us today—still.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Not much to report from Barrington, Rhode Island. We are extremely thankful that we have not lost power during this storm! Makes it fun to be stuck at home with a day off from work. I took a couple photos this morning and some more a half hour ago right after the snow plow came down our street and cleared out the circle at the end of our cul-de-sac. Our DPW crews do a great job here. We had so much snow in the circle that the plow actually got stuck and had to dig his back wheels out -- and he had chains on his tires. I'd estimate we had 17-18 inches here. No school tomorrow -- and work at the Naval War College delayed until noon as far as I know. So, enjoy the photos and stay warm.

Chloe's not sure she wants to be outside

Our house

Looking up our street towards the main road

Chloe thinks she wants to go on a walk

Looking down our street towards our house

Snow drifted up against our back door this morning before the second heavy snowfall period. About one foot high

Sunday, January 25, 2015

I made this scrapbook page yesterday and finished it today mostly because I wanted to enter it in a couple of scrapbooking challenges, but the photo I choose made me think about saying Goodbye to my old lunchtime walks along the river in Providence past these gorgeous bright yellow chairs -- and thinking about what I'll be saying Hello to on my lunchtime walks at my new job at the Naval War College Library in Newport. It's also fun to use lots of pops of bright yellow color on the day before we get a "historic blizzard"! It looks like I'll have my first day at my new job tomorrow, followed by a snow day!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

So I've been really bad about writing on my blog -- which is mostly just for me -- but still. Anyway, it's the time of year when I take a look at the books I read and listened to in 2014. I use Goodreads to track what I read so coming up with this list is pretty easy. I use their rating system of 1-5 stars for each book. I've noted those ratings below using asterisks as stars. I also note whether the books was an audio book, for book club, on my kindle etc... You can join and be my friend if you want to see what I'm reading throughout the year. Those in Bold were read for Book Club. Thanks to commutes to work and spending lots of time driving Emma to dance classes I have lots of time to listen to audio books. I'm a Audible member and this lets me download books to my iPhone really easily. I also read print books and books on my Kindle!

Without further ado -- here's my 2014 list. . It turns out that I can create a 2014 list automatically via Goodreads. I did this and shared it via my Pinterest Books board so you can see the book covers there. If you are counting that's 34 books this year. Not too shabby.

Audiobooks

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny **Night Film by Marisha Pessl ***The Deadly Dance by M.C. Beaton ****The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness ***Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman ***The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay ***Proof of Heaven, a Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander ****Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding ****A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny ****Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal ***The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt ****

Print and Kindle Books

A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve **Run by Ann Patchett ***The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye by Rachel Joyce *****The Secret Place by Tana French ****Rules of Civility by Amor Towles ***Matrimony by Joshua Henkin ****Attachments by Rainbow Rowell ****Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison ***The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion ****Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell *****Landline by Rainbow Rowell ****Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon ****Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate by M.C. Beaton ****Agatha Raisin and the Day the Flood's Came by M.C. Beaton ****The Fault in our Stars by John Greene *****Cover Her Face by P.D. James ***The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman ****Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline *****Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter ***A Moveable Feast by Earnest Hemmingway ****Stoner by John Williams ****The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh ***Me Before You by JoJo Moyes *****ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK OF 2014: Eleanor and Park

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Thursday was a big day in the Holmes household. We attended the first ever Barrington Middle School 8th grade Bridge Ceremony. It was a dress up event and I know I'm biased but Emma looked beautiful in her new pink dress which was a just bold enough color for her, but not too bold. I loved the style too -- again grown up but not too grown up. She paired it with comfy nude patent leather flats that would be easy to wear and dance in at the 8th grade Dinner Dance to be held after the ceremony. Also not pictured is a bow in her hair that I bought way back in 1986 on a trip to Paris when I was studying in Regensburg, Germany. So glad I saved it all these years because Emma loves it.

Emma ready for the evening's events

The ceremony was held in the Gym at the High School. All the parents sat in the bleachers on both sides and the 8th graders walked in in alphabetical order and sat in the middle. I was pleasantly surprised to see and hear the 7th grade band playing as we waited for the 8th graders and while they walked in. There were really good! It was also fun to see so many of our friends kids playing in the band. There was even an order of events for the ceremony.

Program for the Ceremony

The 8th graders all walked up individually to receive their going away remembrance. This was their name in a large font and individual sentences and words that friends and classmates had written about them. Apparently they did this on computers in their connect/counseling groups and within their cluster groups (three clusters for each grade -- about 100 kids in each group -- they only rotate classes within these smaller groups). An amazing amount of work must have gone into making these, getting the input, formatting them and framing them -- each one totally unique and different for each of the 280 some 8th graders. I realize you can't read the writing on Emma's but here's what it looked like.

When the students walked up they all brought a flower to contribute to a huge class bouquet. Jim thought this was an odd idea, but at the end he said it did indeed look pretty neat. I enjoyed seeing all of the kids -- boys included -- all dressed up. I also got to see a lot of kids who'd been in Emma's classes in past years. After the ceremony all the kids headed off to the cafeteria that had been decorated (thanks to parent volunteers) in a old fashioned Hollywood theme including stars hanging from the ceiling -- one for every student with their name on it!! I saw other parents tearing up, but oddly enough I didn't. Yes, I am am bit sorry that she's growing up, but I'm also excited about the next stage on her journey.

The dinner was catered and paid for by the $10 ticket and then parents volunteered to bring in desserts (I brought brownies) and drinks. I'm just really impressed by how much time, effort and thought was put into this and am so thankful for the great teachers, and parent volunteers.